Names of Suspects in Ruto Shoe-Throwing Incident Revealed as Investigation Continues

Police in Migori County have detained three young men following an incident in which a shoe was hurled at President William Ruto during a public rally in the region.

According to a police report filed at Kehancha Police Station, the main suspect has been identified as 18-year-old Paul Mutongori Marwa, who allegedly threw the shoe at the Head of State.

Two others – Ezron Muherai Mwita, 22, and Nicholas Sangonyi Mwita, 20 – were also arrested for reportedly heckling the president and disrupting his speech, as captured in video footage of the incident.

A police source revealed that the three suspects were apprehended at a local bar in Kehancha Town and are currently assisting with investigations.

Migori police officials have declined to comment extensively on the matter, only stating that “the matter is sensitive and is being handled by officers attached to the presidential security unit.”

The arrests have prompted varied reactions from local leaders.

Kuria East MP Maisori Kitayama has defended the youths and called for their immediate release, accusing online bloggers and media outlets of sensationalizing the incident.

“There were thousands of residents who attended the rally, but only one shoe was accidentally thrown at the president,” Kitayama told local media.

“These young men should be set free. What we are seeing is an exaggerated narrative pushed by people with ill motives. Let’s not criminalise youthful excitement.”

Dennis Itumbi, Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects in the Executive Office of the President, offered an alternative explanation for the incident on his Facebook account.

According to Itumbi, a young man without a phone lifted his shoe “in jest, pretending it was a camera” to capture images of the President. Someone nearby, annoyed that the “shoe-cam” blocked their view, allegedly slapped it away, causing it to fly toward President Ruto.

Security Concerns

The incident has raised questions about presidential security protocols, with sources indicating that security measures around the President have been tightened in response to the breach.

This comes amid what some observers describe as a “worrying trend” of security lapses during public political events in Kenya.

The shoe-throwing incident occurred on May 4, 2025, when President Ruto was addressing residents at Piny Oyie in Suna West, Migori County, after commissioning a sub-county office in the area.

As investigations continue, authorities have not yet announced whether charges will be filed against the three detained individuals.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​